The 15th USAAF and Its Campaign: 304th Bomb Wing and 459th Bomber Group in World War II

The 15th United States Army Air Force (15th USAAF), formed on November 1, 1943, played a pivotal role in the air war over Europe during World War II. Operating mainly out of Southern Italy, the 15th USAAF’s strategic bombing campaign aimed to cripple the Axis powers’ war capabilities, focusing on key industrial targets, transportation networks, and oil refineries across occupied Europe.

Formation and Training

The 304th Bomb Wing, under which the 459th Bomber Group was assigned, was part of this formidable air force. The 459th Bomber Group, activated on July 1, 1943, was initially stationed at Alamogordo Army Airfield, New Mexico. The group, flying the B-24 Liberator, underwent rigorous training focusing on formation flying, navigation, and bombing accuracy. This training was crucial as they prepared for the demanding conditions they would face in the European theater.

The group was transferred to Europe in early 1944, moving through staging areas in Tunisia before establishing their base at Giulia Airfield in Cerignola, Italy. Here, they continued training and familiarization flights, adapting to the European weather, geography, and the heavily defended airspace they would soon face.

Combat Operations

From their base in Italy, the 459th Bomber Group began their combat operations as part of the 304th Bomb Wing’s mission to dismantle the Axis war machine. They focused on strategic bombing raids across Austria, Germany, Romania, Hungary, and other occupied territories.

One of the primary targets was the Ploesti oil fields in Romania, a critical source of fuel for the Nazi war effort. These missions were incredibly dangerous, with heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition. The 459th, alongside other units, faced severe losses but continued to press their attacks, significantly disrupting Axis oil supplies.

In addition to oil refineries, the 459th attacked rail yards, aircraft factories, and military installations. They played a vital role in the campaigns over Vienna, Munich, and other key industrial cities. The bombing runs over southern Germany and Austria were particularly challenging due to the long distance from their base and the need to navigate through heavy flak and fighter defenses.

Preparation for D-Day

While the 15th USAAF was primarily focused on strategic targets, they also supported the broader Allied invasion plans, including D-Day. In the months leading up to the invasion, the 459th Bomber Group participated in missions aimed at weakening the German air force and disrupting transportation lines that could be used to reinforce Normandy. These included bombing raids on aircraft production facilities, fuel depots, and rail networks across France and western Germany.

Although the 15th USAAF was not directly involved in the D-Day operations over Normandy, their efforts significantly weakened the German war effort, contributing to the overall success of the invasion. Their continuous bombardment of strategic targets forced the Luftwaffe to divert resources, leaving the beaches of Normandy with less aerial resistance during the critical hours of the invasion.

Legacy

By the time of the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, the 459th Bomber Group had established itself as a critical component of the Allied air war. Their efforts in the Mediterranean and European theaters helped to dismantle the Axis powers’ capacity to wage war, contributing significantly to the eventual Allied victory.

References

1. Craven, Wesley Frank, and James Lea Cate, eds. The Army Air Forces in World War II, Vol. II: Europe: Torch to Pointblank, August 1942 to December 1943. University of Chicago Press, 1949.
2. Freeman, Roger A. The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men, and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force). Motorbooks International, 1993.
3. Miller, Donald L. Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany. Simon & Schuster, 2007.
4. Ethell, Jeffrey, and Alfred Price. Target Ploesti: View from a Bombsight. Smithsonian Books, 1981.

These sources provide a detailed account of the activities of the 15th USAAF, the 304th Bomb Wing, and the 459th Bomber Group, offering a comprehensive understanding of their role in World War II.

*Author/Editor’s note:

This page was generated by ChatGPT on 02 SEP 2024, using the following prompt:

Please summarize the activities of the 15th USAAF, especially the 304th Bomb Wing and the 459th Bomber Group) in WW2, creating a narrative of their activities from training to D-Day. Please provide references or a bibliography citing sources.

I have not verified nor edited the text in this response, nor the sources it cites, and cannot vouch for their veracity.